TAKK...

"Takk..." has many of the same ethereal elements as the group's much loved "Agaetis Byrjun". The music is often just as ambient and haunting but this release is slightly more accessible than before, especially compared to its predecessor, ( ). I like this very much for its many optimistic touches.

The opener is the lovely title track. This is very atmospheric and one of my favourites. "Hoppípolla" (Hopping Into Puddles) opens with some nice piano. Love this one very much too. It's such a glorious, uplifting tune which also hit the UK charts at the time. It's around four minutes in length which was up to this point quite short for a Sigur Ros track!

The stunning "Sé lest" is just as worthwhile. A very happy, tranquil, elegant piece with strange chirpy vocals and a brass section signing the melody off at the end. "Andvari" is another gem, very warm and slow. The arrangements are pretty and magical. You'll hear some darker pieces on this album too, of which "Gong" is the most touching with its opening haze of heartbreaking strings.

Overall, there are plenty of invigorating, breathtaking and dreamy moments on "Takk...". If you like "Agaetis Byrjun", I don't see any reason not to like this one.